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NOTABLE &
QUOTABLE

Seeds of Rebellion
Several of my friends have had babies
in the last year. Thanks to the wonder
of social media, I've had the opportunity to witness countless photos documenting the first year of their children's
lives. There's perhaps nothing more
miraculous than a newborn baby, no
sensation so sublime as to hold one in
your arms or to see them smile at you
for the first time. There's no feeling so
powerful as to realize someone
depends on you, no motivation greater than the
knowledge someone
looks up to and
admires you.
However, as any
parent will eventually testify, there
comes a bittersweet
moment when your
child gains more
autonomy and independence and - suddenly - you cease to be
a super hero in their eyes.
No longer their Superman or
Wonder Woman, just like that.
You're only human, they've discovered,
full of flaws and not always invincible.
Then there are the days they treat you
like an outright villain.
My own son will turn 18 at the end of
October. While I envy my friends the
joy of new parenthood, there is no
power on earth or elsewhere that would
compel me to repeat the experience of
shepherding a child through the
teen years.
Adolescence is a particularly rocky
road, along which there are many pitfalls. Think the "twos" are terrible?
Give me a toddler over a teenager any
day of the week.
All children rebel against their parents. It's part of the cycle of life, and as
they grow older, they develop ideas of
their own, notions that sometimes
frighten us.

Watching those we love most make
mistakes can be heart breaking on the
best of days and soul crushing on the
worst. Yet, we weather the storm of
injustices that accompany parenting an
adolescent. We know that in order to
learn how to do the right thing, sometimes we must first do the wrong thing.
While the transition from child to
adult can be seemingly traumatic, a
light does beacon at the end of
the darkest of tunnels. That's
because, as adults, we've
already walked this
path. We know that the
seeds of rebellion
sowed in youth will
blossom into hardy
flowers given proper, loving care.
As we prepare to
celebrate the occasion of our nation's
birth, it's important to
take a moment to recognize this country was
founded in the spirit of rebellion. Revolt against tyranny and
oppression is the building block with
which this nation was built. Our
forefathers vehemently questioned
authority and believed in the free will
of the individual.
We pause on Independence Day to
honor their memory, but their ideals
have continued to advance, their spirit
of rebellion alive and well.
Just as teenagers question their parents' once seemingly infallible judgment, we as Americans still demand
answers from those in power. It's part
of what makes this country great.
Happy birthday, America! We at
Pennsylvania Bridges wish everyone a
safe, fun-filled summer.
We'll be back in August with our
Back to School edition.
Until next time, happy reading!
Carla E. Anderton

I love you guys! Where can I find more?

“Poetry is man’s rebellion
against being what he is.”
James Branch Cabell
American Author
2

Aww, thanks... We love you, too!
Pennsylvania Bridges is distributed to
schools, libraries, colleges and universities, community centers, organizations and better businesses throughout
Washington, Fayette, Greene,
Westmoreland and Allegheny counties
in southwestern Pennsylvania.
With a circulation of over 5,500, we
estimate at least 10,000 pairs of eyes
will view each edition.
We’re also online at pabridges.com,

where we continuously update our site
with the latest in arts, entertainment,
education and lifestyle news.
If you or your organization would
like to obtain copies of Pennsylvania
Bridges, email carla@pabridges.com
with your address to be added to our
distribution list.
For information on advertising, call
724-769-0123 or email us at
carla@pabridges.com for a rate sheet
and more details.

The Girls of Summer: Rebellion Women begin second season
players love their
fans.
“I had a couple
In a male-dominated world of profesfans last season that
sional sports, it can be difficult for
I got really close
young ladies to find role models to
inspire them because, let's face it, there with,” said Rebellion
catcher, Mandy
aren't a lot of professional female athOgle. “They would
letes. That tide is starting to turn.
be at every game, no
Last year, the Rebellion Women's
matter if I was playprofessional high pitch softball team
ing or not, supportkicked off their inaugural season at
ing me. It got to the
Consol Energy Park in Washington.
point that I started to
Bringing together amazing athletes
from all over the globe, the Rebellion's look for them in the
stands and after
second season began in late May, and
games. When it
the players are looking forward to
becomes something
inspiring girls to follow their dreams
special like that, it
during another successful season.
really touches
“When you watch, they're always
Mandy Ogle at bat during the Pennsylvania Rebellion women’s
your heart.”
cheering and they have confidence in
profesional softball team’s inaugural season
This will be Ogle's
their playing,” said Catie Urban, sixth
second season with
grader at Allison Park Elementary
this year, the Pennsylvania Rebellion
the Pennsylvania Rebellion and she's
School and member of the Chartierswill take to the road for games in
excited about returning to the diamond. Lancaster, York and Maurmee, Ohio,
Houston Girls Softball Association 12
Catchers are such a critical member of
and under team. Urban is one of many
trying to drum up interest in those
the team, so it's no surprise Ogle has
young softball players who attended
cities in hosting teams of their own.
Rebellion games last season and stayed already amassed quite a following of
Ogle isn't the only player excited
local fans.
after the game seeking autographs and
about the new season. First year catch“It pleases me to know girls are
getting to know the players.
er Alexa Peterson was also eager for it
yearning to come watch us play,” said
The fans get a real thrill meeting the
to begin.
Ogle. “I hope [they] know that they can
players, but the feeling is mutual; the
“The best part is being able to meet
be whoever they want to, do whatever
new people and learn from them,” said
they want. The possibil- Peterson. “I love being able to expand
ities are endless
my knowledge of the game, which is
because, not long ago,
going to help me with my college
professional softball
coaching career. By being traded for a
wasn't even a thing.”
new team, I am now exposed to new
Professional softball is coaching styles and philosophies as
new to the nation and,
well as new ways to play the game
to date, there are only a from my teammates.”
handful of teams the
Peterson says she loves the challenges
Rebellion play, includthe game presents, whether she's coming the Chicago
peting against another team or playing
Bandits, Akron Racers,
against her teammates during practices,
USSSA Pride, and the
and she especially likes diving for the
brand new Dallas
ball, a frequent occurrence in her role
Charge. This small
as catcher. She also feels close to the
league has a huge heart
team's young female fans, and is honand it's apparent on the
ored to be a role model for them.
field. These women are
“To be able to continue to still play
powerhouses, hitting
the game I fell in love with at their age
home runs, diving into
is such a blessing,” said Peterson. “The
bases and giving it their fact they are coming to watch [the
all at every game.
games], even though they don't know
One major challenge
us, is a complete honor.”
facing the league is the
For Ogle and Peterson, the seemingly
Raelyn Hersberger and Arabella Martin pose for a photo with a
need for continued
impossible goal they both shared of
player after the home opener on May 29. Fans are invited to visit growth and expansion.
the field after every game to meet the players and get their
To help achieve this end
Story by Hayley Martin

What’s this I spy
with my little eye?
Pennsylvania Bridges is a free
publication bridging communities in
Fayette, Greene, Washington and
Westmoreland counties. We feature
profiles and articles about individuals and groups contributing to the
advancement of the arts, education,
healthcare, wellness, technology
and other avenues of interest to
our readers.
Pennsylvania Bridges is regularly
updated online and is printed every
other month beginning October
2014. Each edition of the publication includes fresh and original stories about area personalities and
events of note as well as event listings. We welcome your story ideas
via email and event listings.
We adhere to the philosophy that
media should be both inspirational
and thought provoking. We subscribe to the belief that media
should be easy to access and share.
We routinely use social media to
distribute news and updates and
invite our readers to share us with
their networks. Our site’s interface
is designed with this aim in mind.
We welcome your input. Have
questions, comments or angry
exhortations? Email us! We want to
hear your voice.

---CONTACT US--carla@pabridges.com
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3

Custom blankets warm young hearts & bodies

Young hospital patients will feel more
safe, secure, loved and comforted,
thanks to the hard work of two local
groups whose members spent countless
hours handcrafting them Boo Boo
Dolls and Linus blankets. From left to
right, Project Linus Coordinator Lois
Misko and Mon Valley Quilt Club
President Jackie Ingram present the
one-of-a-kind gifts to MVH Emergency
Department Medical Director Amy
Talley, M.D., and SameDay Surgery
Nurse, Mary Beth Cope. The gifts will
also be used on the hospital's pediatric

wing,7-W. Mrs. Ingram also works in
MVH's Critical Care Unit. Project
Linus' local chapter distributed 12,145
blankets in 2014 to other organizations
in the region and has committed to creating 15 blankets each month for young
patients in MVH's Emergency
Department, 7-W and SameDay
Surgery units. For more information on
Project Linus, contact Mrs. Misko at
lois.misko@gmail.com or 412-2078259. For more information on the
Mon Valley Quilt Club, call Jackie
Ingram at 724-207-3858.

Rebellion Women’s Softball, continued from page 3
continuing to play softball after college
is alive and well. While they may not
take the field to 10,000 screaming fans,
earn six figure salaries or drive flashy
cars, they're living a dream to which
many of their young fans can aspire.
“As cheesy as it sounds, it's a dream
come true,” said Peterson. “I put in the
hard work, dedication, blood, sweat
and tears to play at the highest level of
softball, with the ultimate goal of
inspiring even one little girl to follow
her softball dreams.”
“Every day I get to lace up my cleats
and play is an absolute blessing from
God,” added Peterson. “So many take
this game for granted, not realizing it
can be stripped from them in a blink of
an eye. I've seen too many career ending injuries and the look in the eyes of
retired college and professional softball
players who would give anything to
play one last time. This is what drives
me to give everything I have, every
practice, every rep, every sprint, every
play, every pitch. I have realized what
a gift it truly is to get to play this
amazing game and I think that is what
has gotten me to where I am today and
keeps pushing me to be the best softball player I can be. I plan to look back
30 years from now having zero regrets,
knowing I gave everything I had to this
game.”
This season, there are several new
faces on the field, with players hailing

from Japan, the Netherlands, New
Zealand and Canada.
“This season we have a lot of new
players. We are hoping to give off a
new vibe and better performance. The
only way to see the new us is to come
out and watch,” said Ogle.
“I heard once that, 'You don't rise to
the occasion, but fall to your preparation,'” added Peterson. “We train and
practice harder than any team out there,
and because of that we are setting ourselves up for success this season.”
Catch the Pennsylvania Rebellion this
summer at Consol Energy Park.
Tickets, parking and concessions are
affordably priced, and it's a fun family
outing.
Beginning this summer, the
Pennsylvania Rebellion will host a
summer camp for girls during June,
July and August.
“By attending, girls will get the
opportunity to learn from the players,”
said Ogle. “We run the camp. We teach
you what we personally know and we
are an open book to any questions you
may have.”
“Girls should attend because they are
going to get one-on-one work with
some of the best softball players in the
world,” said Peterson.
For more information on games and
softball camps, visit
www.pennsylvaniarebellion.com

Mon Valley Regional Chamber holds 8th annual memorial golf tournament
The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of
Commerce 8th Annual Melvin B. Bassi
Memorial Golf Tournament was held at
Nemacolin Country Club on Thursday,
June 4. Highway Appliance was the
main event sponsor.
The featured Hole in One Prize was a
2015 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck
sponsored by Rotolo Motors, in addition
to valuable auxiliary prizes. Back by
popular demand was the hockey stick
putting contest.
Proceeds from the Bassi Tournament
fund Leadership Washington County
scholarships, The Challenge Program in
local high schools, and several other
educational initiatives in the Mid Mon
Valley in memory of the late Attorney
Melvin B. Bassi, outstanding community
and business leader in the Mon Valley.
This year's Golf Committee was

4

chaired by J.J. Georgagis, Keystone
Bakery, and includes Milt Kubik,
Denise Mornak, Mornak Excavation,
Trish Brickner, PaCareerLink, Josie
Pelzer, Rotolo Motors, Diann
Donaldson, Reliance Business Solutions,
and Jeffrey Mendola, Waddell & Reed.
The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of
Commerce serves the business community of the Mid Mon Valley Region of
Southwestern Pennsylvania. It is a fully
staffed, full-time Chamber of Commerce
with its office located in Charleroi. Its
mission is to provide quality networking and educational opportunities to its
membership and to advocate economic
development activities that will enhance
the quality of life and business climate
of the Mid Mon Valley.

Brownsville Drive-In and Route 40 Classic Diner have historic past, bright future
Story by Dave Zuchowski
It’s not many towns, even regions,
that can brag about having their own
drive-in theater. But Grindstone and
Brownsville area residents are lucky
enough not only to have one of their
own, a classic that dates back to 1947,
but also a classic diner with an flashy
ambiance that recalls the 1950s.
“I. J. Ficks opened the Brownsville
Drive-In 68 years ago,” said manager
Charlie Perkins of Brownsville, who’s
now also serving out his final term as a
Brownsville councilman. “At their peak
in the 1970s, there were about 5,000
drive-in theaters scattered across the
country. Now there’s only 338.”
Extreme Southwestern Pennsylvania
is blessed to have three of the outdoor
theaters tucked into our corner of the
state. Besides Brownsville, Mt.
Pleasant and Carmichaels can also
make a claim to having this classic
form of summertime entertainment
where families and teens on a date can
watch the latest releases in the comfort
of their car.
The late Tom Clark, Jr. was so drawn
to the Brownsville Drive-In he started
working there as a teen. While still in
his 20s, he and John (Preach) Sebeck
partnered to purchase the business
in 1972.
Each year, the drive-in opens for
weekend screenings in April but

switches to a daily operation around
Memorial Day After paying the $8 person admission fee (children under ten
pay $3), patrons get to watch, not one,
but two new releases on one of the theater’s three screens. Perkins keeps the
drive-in open through October with the
screening of horror films appropriate
for Halloween.
Recently, the theater installed a new
$100,000 digital projector and booth
after a fundraising campaign that
brought in $6,000 and a Honda award
of $15,000. The rest of the financial
outlay came via a timely loan.
Still to come are two additional digital projectors, which Perkins hopes to
have installed by the end of the 2015
season. In the meantime, two 35 mm
projectors will continue to carry
the load.
“We make a lot of our revenue, not at
the box office, but at the snack bar,
where our most popular items are pizza
and fresh cut fries,” Perkins said.
Other snack bar treats are cheeseburgers, hot dogs, nachos, corn dogs, candy,
ice cream, cotton candy and, of
course, popcorn.
As much as Tom Clark, Jr. loved his
drive-in, he also loved old diners, those
shining, gleaming eateries that date
back to the 1950s. In 2006, Clark and
Sebeck found a classic diner in
Mattron, Illinois and had it moved to
their property adjacent to the drive-in.

Their Route 40
Classic Diner
opened in
November 2008
with chrome
chairs, big comfy
blue and white
vinyl booths, a
lunch counter
flanked by a string
of stools, black
and white checkered floors, a
Texaco pump and
pink neon line
lighting that runs
along opposite
sides of
the ceiling.
To add to the
diner atmosphere,
the walls are
decorated with
celebrity autographs and photos,
gold records presented to Frank
Sinatra, Sonny
and Cher and
Buddy Holly, even
a framed snippet
of four strands of
Elvis Presley’s
Lila Mitchell enjoys a delicious milkshake from the Route 40 Classic Diner
hair that Perkins
Photo by Mitch Mitchell
said are authentic.
products and electronics in what used
“Over the years, we’ve had some
to be the old Radio Shack. TJs is locatcelebrities come in to eat - like Peggy
March, who made popular the 1963 hit ed on the same property as the diner
“I Will Follow Him” and Joe Hardy,
and drive-in and is, in fact, sandwiched
who liked to come in on Tuesdays for
in between them.
our chicken and biscuit special,”
Not one to stand still, Perkins said he
Perkins said.
eventually plans to build an outdoor
The diner is open daily from 8 a.m. to patio onto the diner and is also thinking
9 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner
of opening another restaurant on
with specials featured everyday along
the property.
with fountain favorites like milkshakes
“That’s something that could be years
and banana splits. “Most everything is
in the making, maybe like five years
home cooked,” Perkins said. “We make down the road,” he said.
our soups daily, and our most popular
The Route 40 Classic Diner, TJs
item is our Garbage Plate.” (The menu
Craftiques and the Brownsville Drivedescribes it as scrambled eggs, bacon,
In are located on Business Route 40,
ham, onions, peppers, home fries and
east of Brownsville.
biscuits and gravy - all piled up on
Read these stories and others at:
one plate).
Besides managing both the drive-in
and diner, Perkins has yet another managerial duty - overseeing TJs Craftique,
Continuously updated with the
an emporium that sells antiques and
arts, education, entertainment
crafts but also jewelry, candles, Amish

pabridges.com

Manager Charlie Perkins posed for our cameras on a sunny day in March of this year while
prepping the drive in for opening day. Photo by Tima Davis.

After 40 years, “Jaws” still has bite
Story by Chuck Brutz
Question: What do you get when you
take a best selling novel, a young director named Spielberg, and a Great
White shark?
Answer: The birth of the summer
blockbuster movie.
It all started in 1964 when freelance
writer Peter Benchley read an article in
the New York Daily News about a
Long Island fisherman who caught a
4,550 pound Great White shark.
Benchley had an “aha” moment, and
asked himself the question: What if a
Great White shark came around, terrorized a town and wouldn't go away?
Flashback to the early 1970s.
Benchley had a book deal with
Doubleday Books to write a book,
early titles of which included Stillness
in the Water and Leviathon Rising.
Other potential titles were The Jaws of
Death and The Jaws of Leviathan but
these were also ruled out. After a conversation with his editor Tom Congdon,
Benchley titled the book Jaws.
According to Benchley, it “was short
and fit on the cover of a book jacket.”
The novel was first released in
February 1974 and was an immediate
best seller. As evidenced to this day by
the Harry Potter and Hunger Games
series, if a novel is successful,
Hollywood will come calling.
After reading the novel, Universal
Films producers Richard Zanuck and
David Brown agreed it would make an
exciting feature film and acquired the
film rights. Now all that was needed
was the right director.
After two attempts to make the film
with different directors, Zanuck and
Brown decided to hire relative
unknown Steven Spielberg, then 28, to
direct Jaws. Spielberg had only one
film to his credit at the time, 1974's
The Sugarland Express.
In Douglas Brode's book The Films of
Steven Spielberg, Spielberg is quoted as
saying he wanted to stick with the
novel's basic concept, that of a shark
terrorizing the local town of Amity, and
the efforts of police chief Martin
Brody, marine biologist Matt Hooper,
and local professional shark hunter
Quint to catch and kill the shark.
To achieve this end, Spielberg had to
eliminate many of the subplots of

Benchley's novel,
including one in
which Hooper and
Brody's wife, Helen,
have an affair. Other
subplots that landed
on the cutting room
floor were ties
between Mayor
Vaughn and the
Mafia and the death
of Hooper in the
jaws of the Great
White shark.
Spielberg cast
actors Roy Scheider
as Brody, Robert
Shaw as Quint, and
Richard Dreyfuss as
Hooper. Author
Benchley appeared
in a cameo as a television reporter.
With the three
leading roles cast,
Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water!
filming beginning in
Martha's Vineyard.
His prediction came true, and Jaws was
The question that emerged was how to
the top film of 1975. Jaws also held the
film a movie about a killer shark withtitle
of top grossing film of all time
out showing at least a part of the shark.
until
May 1977 when it was toppled by
To answer this inquiry, Spielberg is
the
success
of Star Wars.
quoted as saying he asked himself what
Prior to that time, the summer blockwould Alfred Hitchcock do?
buster as we know it today didn't exist.
“Imagining a Hitchcock movie,
instead of a Godzilla movie,” Spielberg However, due largely in part to the sucstated in the documentary Jaws The
cess of Jaws and Star Wars, it's now a
Inside Story, “I suddenly got the idea
common phenomenon.
that we could make a lot of hay out of
Two years after Jaws, Spielberg
the horizon line, and not being able to
teamed up again with Richard Dreyfuss
see your feet, not being able to see any- for the 1977 box office smash Close
thing below the waistline, when you're
Encounters of the Third Kind. A film
treading water… it's what we don't see
close to Spielberg's heart, he originally
that is truly frightening.”
By not showing the shark onscreen as wanted to make it back in 1974.
At the time, he was advised if he
often as he appeared in the novel, the
made
a film as successful as Jaws, he'd
film was somehow more suspenseful
have enough clout in Hollywood to
and scary.
“That invited the audience to come to make any film he wanted. So, we can
the movie, bringing their collective
thank the success of Jaws for his
imaginations, Spielberg stated in Jaws
subsequent films, including Close
The Inside Story, “Their imaginations
Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Art,
helped me make the movie a success.”
E.T., and Jurassic Park.
After a successful early test screenJaws spawned three sequels, none of
ing, Universal Studios head Lew
which broke the box office record of
Wasserman made a unique decision.
Originally, the film was to be shown in the original. As of this writing, no other
sequels or reboots have been
roughly 1,000 theaters. Wasserman cut
announced but, given the climate in
that number to 490, stating he wanted
Hollywood lately, you never know
lines around the box office.
what lurks beyond the horizon.

“It was an amazing gift.”
Story by Carla E. Anderton
On Sunday, May 10, a special service
was held at California United
Methodist Church in California to
commemorate the premiere of a hymn
commissioned to honor the late Miriam
Wilson. Wilson, who taught music at
both California Area School District
and California University of
Pennsylvania, was organist and choir
director for the church.
The church choir debuted the anthem
during the regular worship service following a stirring tribute to Mrs. Wilson
by current choir director Linda Jukes.
“When we age, we began to wonder,
'What legacy will we leave behind?'”
Jukes said. “When Miriam Wilson
died, I wondered if she realized the
legacy she left in the singers of the
Mon Valley. Our choir thought long
and hard how to appropriately
acknowledge her legacy and, after
some research, decided to commission
a hymn to written in her memory.”
According to Jukes, Mrs. Wilson's
connection to the church began in her
early youth.
“Miriam Laight [Wilson] grew up
right next to the church. The borough
building is built on the land where her
house stood,” she said.
Miriam June Laight Wilson was born
in California on June 24, 1923. She
was married and widowed twice, first
to Frank Donovan and later to Daniel
Wilson. She had one daughter, Patricia,

three granddaughters - Liza,
Meg and Kitty - and three
stepchildren, Jenny, Tim and
James.
In addition to serving as a
teacher and church volunteer, Wilson was director of
the California Chorale, an
assembly of university students, professors and members of the California community.
One among many whose
lives Wilson touched, Jukes
lavished praise on her mentor's musical abilities.
“She had a gift for playing.
She could remember music
and would just sit down and
play without [sheet] music
for hours on end. She could also transpose music into any key and then play
the accompaniment in the new key. It
was an amazing gift,” Jukes said.
Another of Wilson's “amazing gifts”
was her prolific and wide reaching
influence on others.
“There are hundreds of people in the
Mon Valley and extending outward
who love music as a result of Miriam
Wilson,” Jukes said. “She nurtured
musicians all along the way, whether
kids went into music as a result of her
influence or they just appreciated
music as a result.”
The church choir chose lyricists
Nancy Price and Don Besig because
“they write music our choir can sing

Law Office of
and the link of their web site was so
easy to follow,” Jukes said. “They were
extremely accessible and straight forward with their communication.”
The cost of having the anthem composed was $800 which is being paid
for by personal donations from members of the choir and other church
members.
Organist Jenn Chmiel and flautist
Dustin Cramer accompanied the choir
during the premiere of the anthem,
“God Has Given Me a Song to Sing.”
After the anthem's debut, Pastor B. T.
Gilligan led all those in attendance in
accepting and dedicating the hymn.
Members of Mrs. Wilson's family
were present at the service.

Booksigning a big success!

Fans, friends and family showed up in droves for the book release party held on
May 14 for “Della & Lila Meet the Monongahela Mermaid”

A book signing was
held at Regina’s Flowers
on May 14 to celebrate
the release of Della and
Lila Meet the
Monongahela Mermaid,
the first in a series of
children’s books.
Fans, friends and family
turned out, eager to catch
a glimpse of some of the
characters from the series.
Guests enjoyed a delicious array of snacks.
Books were available for
purchase as well as a
variety of Monongahela
Mermaid merchandise

including everything from
plush dolls and toy
pirate swords.
Authors Della, Lila and
Brianne Mitchell were on
hand to autograph books
and chat with fans.
“We are so delighted
with the turnout and the
show of support from our
fans,” said Brianne
Mitchell. “We look
forward to many more
promotional events. Our
Mon Mermaid is certain
to appear at a few!”
For more information,
visit dellaandlila.com

attorney@budaylaw.com
Learn more about your
rights to Workers’
Compensation or Social
Security Disability at

budaylaw.com
Helping people
just like you!
7

When life gives you... pineapple, cheese and Ritz crackers?!?
By Pastor B.T. Gilligan
At many churches in America, there
is a beautiful tradition called the
Church Potluck. If you are unfamiliar
with this tradition, it's when people
who attend church get together and
share a meal. Each person is responsible for bringing a dish to share.
Typically these dishes are casseroles,
cakes, or various other tasty
concoctions with various levels of
cheese and potatoes.
Here at California United Methodist
Church, this tradition holds strong! On
the first Wednesday of every month at
6:30 p.m., we come together as a group
of people and share a meal. Our meals
are open to anyone who would like to
join us and experience the beauty that
is large groups of people all bonding
over the last chicken leg or piece of
chocolate cake.
One of the dishes we have on a regular basis is a dish that doesn't make
sense. It is a combination of crushed
pineapple, shredded cheese, and Ritz
crackers. This sounds as if it would be
disgusting. In fact, the first time this
dish was offered to me I turned my
nose up because cheese and pineapple
just should not go together.
However, not to be rude, I tasted
some. Then I tasted more, and more,
and more, until I had embarrassed
myself, and my family, by eating most
of the casserole dish.
Cheese, pineapple, and crackers
should not go together and they should
not taste good. It should be a culinary

disaster. But it isn't. Instead, it is amazing. Now, when there is a potluck
meal I make sure I am close to the
front of the line so that I can enjoy this
delicacy. It is unexplainable just how
delicious this meal is.
I wonder how often life is like this.
There are things we experience and go
through that just don't make sense.
Sometimes, what we experience is the
most painful thing in our lives.
Some things just don't make sense.
Whether it was that job loss, or that
unplanned pregnancy, sometimes our
life doesn't make any sense and we
don't know why.
These things that happen can destroy
us. They don't make sense, they make
us feel worthless and unloved and
sometimes we wonder if it will ever get
better. If we are honest with ourselves,
sometimes these things can drive us to
the point where we want to give up on
it all.
In the Bible, it says God makes
everything beautiful in its own time.
This idea even includes you. Whatever
you are going through right now is not
the best it is going to get. Times may
be difficult right now. You might be
going through violence, poverty,
depression, addiction, or worse. No
matter what you are going through and
no matter how much it does not make
sense, there will come a day when
everything will work out. That might
mean seeking out help to get better, or
getting out of a bad situation, or just
waiting patiently. Whatever it takes,
you can do this. You are not alone.

M O N T H LY C O M M N U N I T Y P O T L U C K

Some things in life just don’t make sense.

There is help out there and there are
people who will guide you and walk
with you through it all.
Just like pineapple, cheese, and
crackers mixed together, there are parts
of our lives that don't make sense and
shouldn't work out, but the God of the
universe is in the business of making
all things beautiful in perfect timing.
So, if you need a helping hand to see
the beauty in your life there are
resources for that. From churches to
hotlines there are places to go or people to call that will remind you of the
beauty of your own life.

In my “right mind” at In Your Write Mind
By Ron Shannon
Get there early. I always do. I love
the neatly trimmed grass, the vacant
buildings, and the echoes in the narrow
hallway by the security office. There is
an unnatural lure within this campus.
As you approach the buildings you are
aware of the history standing guard at
every darkened window. Once you're
inside the past beckons from the colonnades and courtyards. This is Seton
Hill, a school with a fascinating backstory and a passionate future. It's the
home of the Griffins, but more importantly it's the home of the Writing
Popular Fiction Program. Every year,
at the end of June, it's also the home of
the In Your Write Mind writers' conference. This year the conference will
start on Thursday, June 25 and will end
on Sunday, June 28.
If the weather is nice you can sit outside on one of the swings and catch up
on some reading, or let the architecture
capture your imagination. Dream of old
characters and narratives, conjure up a
new storyline, or finish your current
work in progress. If it is raining you
can go inside and find one of the parlors. Sit in a comfortable antique chair
or do what I do and find an equally
comfortable rocker. You may want to
read, but don't be surprised if the building steals your thoughts. Daydreaming
is not only permissible it is expected.
The conference starts around noon on
Thursday. Guests, experienced people
in the industry, will coach a few les-

Every year, a multiple author book signing is held where Seton Hill University Writing Popular
Fictoin alums and other participating authors are on hand to sign books and discuss their craft

sons, share experiences, and maybe
accept a pitch or two. Faculty, mentors,
and teachers in the program, will conduct sessions on a variety of subjects.
WPF graduates will instruct a few
more classes.
One night will be devoted to a massive book signing. The annual ball will
be held the last night of the conference.
Oh, and don't miss the ghost tour. It's
usually conducted the first night. The
graveyard is particularly interesting
and capable of stimulating a few
new tales.
Although all of the classes, tours, and
book signings are an important part of
the conference they are not the attrac-

A highlight of In Your Write Mind is the traditional costume ball held on Saturday night following
the evening’s guest speaker. This year’s guest speaker is author Chuck Wendig (terribleminds.com)

tion that draws me back year after year.
I look forward to the discussions outside the classroom. I want to spend
time with the people who understand
my hopes and dreams. I escape my day
job and the goals others want me
to achieve.
I belong to this group. Here I am not
a childish daydreamer. I am another
writer willing to listen and share my
achievements and disappointments.
This is what this conference is all
about. It's okay if you're not part of the
Writing Popular Fiction Program and
don't worry about being an introvert.
It's the condition of most writers, at
least the good ones. It's a natural condition. We spend most of our time in
solitude; we feed on it, and find
motivation in its seclusion. It's something we all have in common and recognize in others. It's an essential part of
our character.
Fellow travelers are recognized and
accepted. Someone will ask what you
write, ask about your current project.
How did you hear about In Your Write
Mind? We're glad you're here.
For me the conference is over before
it begins. It always takes me a long
time to recover, but part of the recovery process is a renewed resolve to
keep writing. I set my sights on next
year and return to my isolation and my
characters. I am, after all, a writer.
For more information on In Your
Write Mind 2015, visit
inyourwritemind.setonhill.edu

“We had to do it now. We couldn’t pass on the opportunity.”
Story by Sarah Beth Martin
When opportunity knocks, you can sit
idle and ignore it, or you can collect
yourself and go answer the door.
The Board of Directors at the Geyer
Performing Arts Center in Scottdale
chose the latter when it came to
deciding which plays and musicals to
feature in its 2014-15 season, and theater fans throughout the region are sure
to be pleased with the outcome of
their deliberations.
This summer, the Geyer will present
its premiere production of composer
Claude-Michel Schonberg's beloved
musical Les Miserables. This title was
selected because it is a timeless classic
with strict time constraints. As Geyer
President Brad Geyer explained, the
rights to perform this marvelous
musical were released to community
theaters, such as the Geyer, only two
years ago, and they expire in June
2015, meaning that, after that date,
community theaters will no longer be
allowed to produce this show unless
and until the rights are granted again.
“We had to do it now,” Geyer told us.
“We couldn't pass on the opportunity,
in case the rights don't come around for
a while.”
Geyer and the board of directors
weren't the only ones who couldn't pass
on the opportunity. When the Geyer
held open auditions this spring, approximately 130 people came out to score a
spot in Les Miserables, and dozens of
others stepped up to provide services
for the production.
The Geyer, like most community
theaters, operates on a zero budget,
with volunteerism and art appreciation
as its lifeblood.
In other words, the cast, crew, and
other instrumental figures in the productions receive no pay other than the
rewards of performing and giving back
to the art community.
It's this love of art and performance
that has sustained the Geyer for over 25
years, since the historic opera house it
populates on Pittsburgh Street was renovated in 1989 after sitting dark for
two decades. And, it is this same love
that will continue to fuel the Geyer's
success, as well as the region's success,
by educating and empowering our next
generation of thespians and engineers.
In addition to the plays, ballets, and

10

musicals it puts on
each year, the
Geyer also offers
special programs
for children,
including the
Geyer After
School Program
(during the school
year) and a twoweek intensive
summer theater
camp.
These offerings
provide area youth
with the opportunity to perform
and learn the ins
and outs of the
theater, and equips
them with skills
and confidence
that can be applied
to other areas of
their lives.
Just as the Geyer
opens its stage
UNE
doors to eager children, so, too, it opens its doors to anyone interested in the performing arts.
Its productions are regularly cast with
seasoned actors and novices alike, and
it will turn no one away based solely
on amateur status.
“We accept all comers, regardless of
what they have or haven't done [in theater] before,” Geyer commented.
“During auditions, we look at what's
done on the stage, not at a résumé of
previous productions.”
As per Les Miserables, 60 cast
members were selected from the 130
who auditioned-and, just like Geyer
said, those 60 actors represent a wide
range of experience, from first-timers
and occasional actors to veterans of
the stage.
Les Miserables runs at the Geyer
Performing Arts Center from June 1114, with two special matinee performances on Saturday. Tickets cost just $15
and are already flying out of the box
office, filling up the Geyer's 340 seats.
Other upcoming performances at the
Geyer include Disney's Tarzan in July
and Spamalot in August. For more
information about upcoming productions, programs, and experiences at the
Geyer, visit the Center online at:
geyerpac.com.

California residents form Preservation Association
ments, photos, and
other items.
---Beautification
A new community organization in
projects
for our
California is hoping to “encourage
town,
including
preservation and understanding of the
plantings and landtown's narrative.” The California Area
scaping, creation of
Preservation Association (CAPA) was
street art, etc.
formed in early April and created a
The organization is
Facebook page in late May.
already
well on its
Approximately eighty members joined
way
to
accomplishimmediately and the group continues to
ing several of its iniexpand, much to the delight of board
members Alice Harris, Carla Anderton, tial goals. For
Memorial Day
Shawn Ranieri, Bt Gilligan, and
weekend, CAPA
Rosemary Capanna.
“Alice and I met and discussed things placed wreaths on
we could do to make California better,” the graves of several
prominent residents.
said Capanna. “We had an idea to creThe first to be recate a proactive organization whose
On Memorial Day, CAPA placed wreaths on the graves of several
emphasis is restoring pride in our town ognized were three of prominent California residents, including the town’s founding fathers
the
town's
six
foundand its heritage. We can accomplish
ing fathers, Job
CAPA is planning self-hosted walking
this if we all lend a hand and tackle a
Johnson,
William
W.
Jackman,
and
tours,
too. Maps with keys to places of
few projects. If we have vision and do
George
W.
Hornbake;
the
family
plot
interest have already been roughed out.
some work, we can make a difference.
of Civil Rights martyr Viola Liuzzo;
I truly believe that.”
“The idea is to map out walking tours and Dr. W. H. Phillips, for whom the
Some of the projects include, but are
we can do several of them - with marktown of Phillipsburg was named. The
not limited to:
ers at each stop,” said Capanna. “The
group hopes to expand its wreath-lay---Beautification projects for our
markers won't be large, but they will be
ing project in upcoming years.
cemeteries.
noticeable enough. In addition to the
Through Harris' efforts, plans are
---Acknowledgement of notable perbeing made to beautify the entrances to pertinent information at each location, I
sons and places in our town and methpersonally would like to see QR codes
Highland and Phillipsburg Cemeteries
ods to educate others about them. We
on the markers. QR codes are scanned
with some landscaping. Plants have
would like to place markers, develop
with a smartphone or tablet and a webbeen donated and funds collected to
walking tours, and create informational assist with supplies. Volunteers will do
page with related information is autoand educational brochures, among
matically accessed. Audio and photos,
the actual planting and other labor.
other things.
“Eventually I would like to have a
things of that nature, can be included.
---Assist residents with preservation,
flower planted on each grave,”
We've already explored several options
archiving, digitization, etc. of docuexplained
regarding markers. It's exciting to let
Harris, “even if
our imaginations run wild and then see
it's just a dafif we can make those ideas reality. The
fodil. It really
neat thing is that this sort of creative
wouldn't be difenergy is contagious. For example, one
ficult to do,
resident asked that we consider includalthough it
ing information regarding quarter mile,
would take some
half mile, etc. walking routes. For
time. Some of
some, that will mean they are walking
the gravesites
with a dual purpose - to learn about the
are so old that
town and improve their health. I hope
they don't
receive the extra we can make that happen, and I think
it's delightful that those sorts of suggesbit of attention
tions are already coming our way. We
and respect that
are emphasizing the positive aspects of
they should. It
would be nice to California, and people are getting
change that. The caught up in it.”
entrance landIf you would like to get involved with
scaping is a very CAPA, call 724-503-2354 or visit
Members of CAPA visited Highland Cemetery on Memorial Day to honor good start.”
facebook.com/groups/calpreservation
Story by Rosemary Capanna

312 3rd St.
California
724-769-1712
Is your computer
ready & up to snuff?

Is your computer
feeling unwell?

Microsoft is now offering a reservation system
for your free Windows 10 upgrade.
By now, you've probably seen the
Microsoft notification suggesting
you reserve your copy of their latest
operating system, Windows 10.
The question is “what happens if
you don't reserve your copy?”
The short answer is “nothing.”
The reservation system appears to
only serve as a means to increase
awareness.
Microsoft officially announced
Windows 10 will be released on July
29 as a free upgrade to Windows 7
and Windows 8.1 users. Windows XP
and Vista users are not covered under
the free upgrade.
If users don't reserve their copy,
they will still have the opportunity to
upgrade for at least the first year.

Call us at

Are you ready?
Microsoft has stated if you reserve
Windows 10, they'll automatically
download and install the upgrade for
you on July 29.
Do you trust Microsoft to automatically install this upgrade?
For a limited time, Tech Boxz will
offer FREE reviews and hardware
checks in order to confirm your computer is ready for Windows 10.
This review and hardware check is
normally a $40 service.
When was the last time you had a
free offer that didn't cost you something in the end? Pick up the phone
and call us now because this IS one
of those rare, free offers.

724-769-1712 to set up a

Free Windows 10 Evaluation
July 29 is the deadline to reserve Windows 10

---Factory Authorized--New Computer Sales & Service

Proudly Serving the Mon-Valley Since 1995
12

The exhibition “Repetition,
Rhythm, and Pattern” will be on
view until June 28 at SPACE. Lindsey
Landfried organized this exhibition
exploring artists' uses of repetition,
rhythm, and pattern as elements to
investigate the possibilities of abstractions.
In its fourth iteration (shown in 2014
at Space 4 Art, San Diego, CA; TSA,
Brooklyn, NY; and Lewis Art Gallery,
Millsaps College, Jackson, MS), the
show's Pittsburgh presentation is its
largest to date, including new
“Out of Many, One People” an exhibition exploring the
vast cultural heritage of
Jamaica by artist Tamara
Natalie Madden - will be on
view until June 21. The exhibition explores the island's diverse
ethnic background that informs
its rich and unified culture. This
cultural hybridization extends
beyond Jamaica and throughout
the Caribbean and Central and
South America. While Madden
says Caribbean people fully celebrate their African heritage,
some works in this exhibition
seeks to explore “Black” as a
singular racial distinction, challenging a monolithic notion that
does not account for the many
races inherent in the Caribbean
bloodline.
The exhibition includes 30
works in acrylic and mixed
media. The artworks feature bright,
vibrant colors and figures often wearing collaged fabrics.
709 Penn Gallery is located at
709 Penn Avenue in downtown

sitespecific works by
artists Kim Beck,
Alex Paik, and Lilly
Zuckerman. It also
includes larger
installations by
artists Corey
Escoto, Brian
Giniewski, Kate
McGraw, and Anna
Mikolay; as well as
works by Megan
Cotts, Crystal
Gregory, Lindsey
Landfried, Helen
O'Leary, and David Prince.
The exhibition features installation
and sculpture, highlighting works that
use paper as structural material, not
only as a picture surface. Pieces in
glass, aluminum, and porcelain and
also included.
SPACE is located at 812 Liberty
Avenue. Gallery Hours: Wed & Thurs:
11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 11 a.m.-8
p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The gallery is
free and open to the public.
Details: trustarts.org

Boy Scout camps at Waynesburg University
Waynesburg
University will offer
two camps for Boy
Scouts this summer,
Life to Eagle Camp and
STEM (Science,
Technology,
Engineering and
Mathematics) for Scouts
Camp. Both camps will
offer scouts the opportunity to earn specialized
merit badges taught by
Waynesburg University
professors.
Life to Eagle and
STEM for Scouts camps
will offer small camp
classes with individualized instruction. Waynesburg
University professors who are experienced in their badge topic and are registered with the Laurel Highlands
Council as Merit Badge Counselors
will teach all of the badge sessions.
Registration for both camps is limited
to the first 36 scouts. Scouts can provide a roommate preference to room
with a friend when registering.
Life to Eagle Camp
Waynesburg University will host Life
to Eagle Camp Friday, July 17, through
Sunday, July 19. The Life to Eagle
Camp will offer Scouts with Life or
Star Rank the opportunity to earn up to
three merit badges in one weekend.
Available badges include citizenship
in the community, citizenship in the
nation, citizenship in the world, communications, emergency prep, environmental science, family life, first aid,
personal fitness and sustainability. All
of the badges offered are required for
obtaining Eagle Rank.
Assistance with Eagle Project planning and portfolios will also be provided, and Scouts will be offered the
opportunity to work on their Eagle
Project portfolio in Waynesburg
University's state-of-the-art Mac lab in
lieu of a third merit badge.
The total cost for the camp is $200,
and includes badge instruction, meals
and lodging. To register, visit
waynesburg.edu/lifetoeaglecamp
STEM for Scouts Camp
Waynesburg University's STEM for
Scouts Camp will be held July 20-24.

MONON CENTER ANNOUNCES
UPSTREAM
SUMMER DAY CAMPS

Boy Scouts entering sixth grade
through current high school seniors are
invited to attend.
Scouts will have the opportunity to
earn up to five science, technology,
engineering and math related merit
badges. Waynesburg University will
offer 15 different badges including
astronomy, aviation, bird study, chemistry, digital technology, environmental
science, electronics, engineering, geocaching, photography and oceanography, among others. Scouts may choose
their five badges when registering.
The total cost for the camp is $350,
which includes lodging in air-conditioned dorms, three meals a day in the
dining facilities of the University,
five merit badges, a t-shirt, a patch and
all activities.
Activities include evening campfires
and fun, hands-on STEM activities.
Scouts will work on Boy Scouts of
America (BSA) NOVA science awards
during camp. The Boy Scouts of
America's NOVA Awards program
incorporates learning with fun activities
and exposure to STEM-related fields.
To register, visit
info.waynesburg.edu/STEMcamp
The Boy Scouts of America is one of
the nation's largest and most prominent
values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program
for young people that builds character,
trains them in the responsibilities of
participating citizenship and develops
personal fitness.
For more information, contact
scouting@waynesburg.edu

The Monon Center is pleased to
partner for a fifth year with the
Greene County Department of
Recreation to provide an art component for the county's summer
Day Camp program.
The Monon Center, a
Greensboro-based museum and
cultural center, is collaborating
on a tie-in with the county's exciting new program called “UP
STREAM,” which stands for
YOU being Physical in Science,
Technology, Recreation,
Engineering, Art and Math.
The arts and sciences share
sequential learning habits of the
mind that mutually support
creative problem solving,
imaginative thinking, and
transference of skills and
knowledge to new experiences, according to a
report presented by Pam
Blaker, parks and recreation manager, at a recent
meeting. Foundation qualities for STEM (science,
technology, engineering
and mathematics) jobs are

curiosity, creativity,
collaboration and
critical thinking,
which are key concepts that are best
learned through the
performing arts
disciplines.
The Monon Center provides
inter-generational cultural enrichment serving the region of
Southwestern Pennsylvania and
neighboring areas of West
Virginia. The Monon Center
encourages interest, training and
educational enrichment in the arts,
history, science and culture
of the region. At this time, its
programming is provided as an
outreach service.
There is a pre-registration at
each of the sites on Friday, June 12,
from noon-3 p.m. Day camp sites
are Mon View Park in Greensboro,
Carmichaels Wana Be Park,
Waynesburg Lions Club Park &
Jefferson Day Camp.

FMI: 724-8
852-5
5323

Lynne Hayes Langley, Carla E. Anderton & Audrey Winfield wait to have their copies of “Della and
Lila Meet the Monongahela Mermaid” signed by one of the book’s co-authors, Brianne Mitchell

Regional History Comes to Life at 2015 Whiskey Rebellion Festival: Free Family Fun for All Ages
Story by Stacie Adams
One of the great things about living in
southwestern Pennsylvania is the rich
historical background of the area. This
region was home to many important
events in American history, including
the Whiskey Rebellion of 1791. When
the federal government attempted to
impose a tax on whiskey production to
help ease the national debt, area farmers launched an expansive protest that
involved often forceful methods of
refusing whiskey taxes. Taking place in
Washington County, the Whiskey
Rebellion illustrated the dogged
American ideals that would go onto
form the very backbone of this country.
To celebrate this important event,
Washington County holds the yearly
Whiskey Rebellion Festival which
offers keen historical insight and a
whole lot more to attendees. The festival was first established in 2010 to celebrate Washington County's bicentennial and was originally intended to be a
one-time happening. However, the festival proved so popular that it was
scheduled as a yearly occurrence, complete with a number of musical acts, a
shooting festival, heritage arts and
crafts, and an array of foods and produce straight from local vendors.
Lee Stivers is responsible for booking
the assortment of musical talent for the
festival, and as a Washington County
resident has a deep appreciation for this
historically-themed event. While enjoying all of the great food and music is

certainly important, Lee also sees the
festival as offering a historical perspective not found in many other events.
This is especially true for younger
attendees, who may find the subject of
history boring in other instances.
“Kids learn by methods other than sitting in a classroom or reading books, or
even watching things on a screen,” Lee
says, referring to the numerous demonstrations and live theater put on by the
festival reenactors. “When you can
involve a kid with their whole body,
all of their senses, it makes it real
to them.”
This up-close perspective is made
possible by numerous live performances taking place over the course of the
festival. Guests can witness live reenactments demonstrating the way of life
typical to frontier men and women of
the era, while town criers reenact
speeches that would have been lobbed
at federal officials attempting to collect
the highly unpopular whiskey tax.
There is a even a live tar and feather
demonstration, where one brave volunteer elects to undergo a simulation of
this public humiliation. Activities like
these enable a lively way to view history that simply can't be afforded by
books, and as a result have much value
to residents seeking to gain a grander
view of local history.
Attendees can even gain insight into
the weapons used at the time of the
Whiskey Rebellion. The Schuetzenfest,
or shooting festival, gives guests an
idea of what type of weaponry was

The Early Mays - seen here - will perform at the Whiskey Rebellion on Saturday, July 11
at 1:30 p.m. in the Main Tent and at 4 p.m. in the Pioneer Room. FMI: theearlymays.com

14

Re-enactors are just a small piece of this big festival.
For a full schedule of free events, visit whiskeyrebellionfestival.com

used during the era. Schuetzenfest, as
well as production of Rye whiskey, was
supplied by German settlers to
Pennsylvania, which had a significant
impact on local culture and traditions.
Those participating in Schuetzenfest
make use of authentic attire and
weaponry, including the flintlock rifles
wielded by expert marksman.
When it comes to musical performances, Lee took great care to ensure
that performers kept in tune with the
festival's historical outlook. This
Americana/heritage sound is most evident in Bull Run Cigar Box Guitars,
which are created by John Fanning
using a design made famous on Civil
War battlefields. Gary Copeland of
Spence's Rye will even be using these
custom-made guitars during his
Saturday afternoon performance, much
to the delight of concert-goers eager to
see a bit of history in action.
Of course, this is just a small sampling of the many great performers
included in the festival. Headliners The
Black Lillies hail from Tennessee and
offer a mix of bluegrass, country, and
Americana perfectly suited to the
atmosphere of the festival. Local
singer/songwriter T. Mitchell Bell
affords a regional perspective via many
personal songs inspired by Scottish
ancestral roots, as well as the wild
frontier of Appalachia. Festival regulars
Jakob's Ferry Stragglers are a highly
popular band that have experienced
both regional and national success

thanks to their easy fusion of many different genres and sounds. According to
Lee, “The Jakob's Ferry Stragglers is a
very exciting band, we're just thrilled to
have them back. They've been at the
festival every single year.”
The festival also includes many other
great events such as a classic car show,
the 7th annual Whiskey Rebellion dinner hosted by the Bradford House, and
a farmer's market featuring an abundance of local fare. While the farmer's
market is a quite a success in its current
format, big things are in store for this
and other Washington County events.
“It's a pretty exciting time for the
farmer's market because we are about
to break ground on building a pavilion
downtown to house the market and
other community events like the
Whiskey Rebellion Festival,” Lee says
of the upcoming plans. “By next year
we should have a very wonderful
pavilion that will be a main square
for Washington.”
From exciting historical displays and
activities to a mix of live musical performances, the 2015 Whiskey
Rebellion Festival has much to offer
attendees of all ages. The festival kicks
off on Thursday July 9 and continues
through Sunday July 12, with each day
featuring a collection of great
attractions that are both fun as well
as informative.
For a full schedule of free events,
whiskeyrebellionfestival.com

Just a sampling of the talent you’ll find at the Whiskey Rebellion this summer

The Black Lillies will perform on Saturday, July 11
at 8:30 p.m. in the Main Tent
The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers will take the stage on Saturday,
July 11 at 7 p.m. in the Main Tent
Miss Ruby will perform with the Dirty Devils at
6:45 p.m. on Friday, July 10 in the Main Tent

Ruby Red & the Dirty Devils is an
eclectic electric blues band based in
Washington, Pennsylvania. The band
takes a fresh approach to the blues by
covering a wide variety of blues styles,
complimented with R & B, jazz, and
original material. The band enjoys putting its own musical stamp on songs
from early blues divas such as Bessie
Smith and Memphis Minnie, to
contemporary blues singers such as
Adele and Janiva Magness. The band
also highlights songs written by locally
and nationally known blues artists
who have mentored and inspired
Miss Ruby.
RubyRedAndTheDirtyDevils.com

Callan will perform on Saturday, July 11
at 6 p.m. in the Main Tent

The Jakob's Ferry
Stragglers are a four piece
string band based out of
southwestern Pennsylvania.
They combine a variety of
influences ranging from
Old-Time, Bluegrass,
Country, Jazz, Rock and
1930's style swing music to
create a tight, high-energy
sound, complete with heavy
grooves, soulful ballads, and
extended jams, cherry-topped
with well-blended harmony
and honest songwriting.

Formerly known as The
Weedrags, the group formed
in 2010 and has been seen at
venues and festivals all over
the mid-atlantic region, opening for national acts such as
The Steeldrivers, The
Carolina Chocolate Drops,
Town Mountain, The Fe- lice
Brothers, Drymill Road, The
Rumpke Mountain Boys,
The Hillbilly Gypsies and
Frank Solivan and The
Dirty Kitchen.
jakobsferry.com

This year the festival is
proud to present The Black
Lilles, a Tennessee based
band, that is becoming a
national phenomenon and
was described by Rolling
Stone magazine as one of
the bands to watch in 2015.
Come out and see The
Black Lillies for free in this
accessible venue and have
an experience that will last
a lifetime. Born in the rumbling cab of a stone truck
and aged in the oak of
Tennessee's smoky night
haunts, The Black Lillies
have quickly risen to the

forefront of the Americana
scene. Founded by multiinstrumentalist and vocalist
Cruz Contreras, The Black
Lillies have created their
own unique brand of country, roots, rock and blues
via Appalachia. The group,
formed in 2008, also
includes electric guitar and
pedal steel whiz Tom Pryor
and drummer Jamie Cook,
both formerly of the everybodyfields, bassist Robert
Richards, and vocalist
Trisha Gene Brady.
theblacklillies.com

---FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF FREE EVENTS--whiskeyrebellionfestival.com
If you look up the word
“Callán” in an Irish-Gaelic
dictionary, its definition is
straight forward: “ruckus.”
With their Scottish pipes and
Irish dance tunes, this
Pittsburgh-based Celtic quintet
has been a favorite on the local
music scene for over eight
years. Callán raised a ruckus
for our Americana Music
Series in 2013 and 2014, and
we are thrilled to have them on
the main stage for the Whiskey
Rebellion Festival.
callanceltic.com/wordpress

Billy the Kid and The Regulators
are a high powered, guitar driven,
rhythm and blues band based in
Pittsburgh. Lead singer Billy
Evanochko is widely-known across the
Steel City for his impassioned lyrics,
seductive vocals, and stinging guitar
riffs. Together with his band, The
Regulators, they deliver a well-balanced dose of funky rhythm and blues,
with heart and soul being the main
ingredient. Playing countless clubs and
festivals throughout the country, the
band attracts fans with their fresh mix
and interpretation of the iconic
Billy the Kid & The Regulators will take the stage on
R&B experience.
Friday, July 10 at p.m. in the Main Tent
billythekidband.com

Story by Hayley Martin
The Hard Rock Café was bursting
with talent on May 31 when Jonathan
Jackson and Enation performed to a
packed crowd with pitch-perfect,
inspiring music.
“I'm really excited to play and be here
in Pittsburgh,” said Jonathan.
While you may not be familiar with
Enation, you might be very familiar
with Jonathan Jackson, who currently
stars as Avery on the hit television
show, Nashville. Fans might also
remember him from his longstanding
role of Lucky on General Hospital, as
Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting or from
various other appearances on the small
and silver screens.
The members of Enation include
Jonathan on guitar and lead vocals, his
brother, Richard (who is also an actor
who starred as Derek in “Bring it On
Again” among other roles) on drums,
and their best friend Daniel Sweatt
on bass.
“We've been playing together so long
it feels natural,” said Richard. “We've
been together since we were teenagers.
It's great fun to do creative things with
your brother and friends. A lot of the
music and acting has brought us together. We were once siblings fighting as
kids and now we can do something that
complements each other.”
Together this trio makes music so

Catch the
Reading Bug!

Jonathan Jackson on lead vocals for Enation at the Hard Rock Cafe on May 31.
Photos of Jonathan & Daniel Sweatt by Hayley Martin.

beautiful it moves the soul. Their songs
defy any standard genre, quite unlike
so many bands today those entire song
catalog sounds the same. Every song
has a unique influence ranging from
country to rock.
“[My inspiration] goes through cycles
in my life,” said Jonathan Jackson.
“There was a period early on that I listened to REM constantly and then U2.
I get into an artist and listen to everything they've ever done.”
Performing tracks from their most
recent release, “Radio Cinematic,” the
band is a force on stage from the first
note of perfection to the last. Many
songs tell a very powerful story and inspire
greatness - such as “The
Morning of Rain” which
Jonathan counts himself
fortunate to have sung
on Nashville in season
one. The anthem
“Everything is Possible”
also had the cheering
and singing along.
“Some songs are stories, some are just talking about thoughts, feelings and emotions,” said
Jonathan Jackson.
“Some are abstract and
some are specific. But
we do approach the
songs from a place of
storytelling. That's why
we called the album,
Radio Cinematic,
Daniel Sweatt jams with Enation at the Hard Rock Cafe

16

because it's music and film connecting
and telling a story through music.”
When listening to the lyrics for
Enation songs, it's pure poetry, and
Jonathan Jackson is no stranger to the
form. He has a published collection of
poetry inspired with deep, emotional
themes called Book of Solace
and Madness.
“'Cinematic' just felt like it was years
in the making,” said Jonathan. “I've
been writing since I was 11 years old
so I've written hundreds of songs, but
that felt like something clicked and it
expressed a lot of what means a lot to
me. It's a love song and a spiritual
anthem for the journey the band has
gone through over the last 10 years.”
The band is also committed to
helping charitable organizations.
Enation is currently working with the
Syria Project to help people in the
Middle East.
“We've been inspired by different
[Middle Eastern] artists and bands
[and] their music is more than just
entertainment,” said Jonathan. “They
have a purpose behind it. There's such
a crisis going on in the Middle East and
in America we're often disconnected
from it. We're just trying to get basic
help to these people.”
If you've never heard Jonathan
Jackson and Enation, you should pick
up their album today. The powerful
songs are relatable, connectable and
full of passion. Enation might be writing their own musical scripts - but
you'll find your own life in the words.

The West Newton Library would
like to announce this year’s take on
the old Summer Reading Program.
This year we will feature a week
long event focusing on Nutrition,
Exercise, and Reading. This event
will run from July 13-July 18 starting daily at 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the West
Newton Lion's Field House and
Pavilion on the west side of town.
The program is free of charge
and is open to children from K
through 6. Space is limited to the
first 50 children.
This year the children will be
involved in preparing healthy
choices, analyze group results,
review fractions, and measure out
ingredients.They will learn the
impact of exercise and of course
we will be featuring a new story
every day.
Each child will receive a workbook and DVD from the “Jump
with Jill” exercise & fitness rocks
program. Lunch will be provided
each day.
The week long event will wind up
on Saturday, July 18 with our awards
ceremony at Simeral Square, during
their annual Health and Wellness
Fair at the park.
This year’s program is brought
to you by the Kakos Foundation.

California University of Pennsylvania
welcomes elementary and high school
students to its campus in California,
Pa., where educational summer day
camps are scheduled. Registration is
open now for these programs:
SEEK, Cal U's annual Summer
Educational Enrichment for Kids
program, offers two weeklong sessions for children entering grades 18. Since it was founded in 2000, the
award-winning program has provided
elementary and middle-school students
with summer learning experiences
that are entertaining, yet academically
challenging.
This year, “Sand & Sea” classes will
be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. June 2226 and July 20-24 in various campus
locations. Campers choose from a
menu of age-appropriate classes ranging from Physics Tricks, SEEK Shark
Week (business) and CSI: California
(forensic science) to Sea Me Sew and
Best Dances for the Beach Party.
Cost is $135 per child for a fullweek, full-day program, or $90 per
child for a full-week, half-day (morning or afternoon) program.
Participants are escorted between
classes and supervised at lunchtime.
Each child should bring a bag lunch;
refrigeration is not available.
To review the 2015 SEEK brochure
and register your child, visit
www.calu.edu.
Children in grades 3-8 can explore,
create and innovate this summer at
the California University of
Pennsylvania Center for Innovation
at Southpointe, in Canonsburg.
Beginning June 17, the center's
Summer of STEAM programs take a
hands-on approach to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics,
with classes ranging from historical
architecture to 3-D printing, robotics,
entrepreneurial skills and theater arts.
Innovator Wednesdays feature engaging, design-based STEAM activities

that foster learning,
problem-solving creativity and teamwork.
Students in grades 3-5
meet from 8 a.m.-12:30
p.m. Wednesdays from
June 17-Aug. 19. Cost
is $20 per session, and
a different topic is
covered each week.
Students in grades 6-8 meet
Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is
$25 per session; topics change weekly.
Students bring their own lunch.
Parents may register children for individual Innovator Wednesday programs
or the entire series.
Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs (grades 38) also are welcome at the Cal U
Center for Innovation, where a program
hosted by Arts. Inc. meets from noon-4
p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 7August 13.
Each student creates a logo, website,
press kit and branding materials for a
business based on his or her passion.
The young entrepreneurs write a company biography, resume and business
plan, develop marketing and sales
strategies, film testimonials, and practice networking to promote their business and build entrepreneurial skills.
Cost is $600 per student for the sixweek program.
Theater Arts (grades 7-12), hosted by
Brian Lane, takes an insider's look at
the performing arts. Sessions (from one
to five classes each) explore Acting
Basics, Writing for
Stage/Film/Television, Creating a
Digital Short, Behind the Scenes, and
Creative Dramatics.
Classes meet from 8 a.m.-noon June
15-July 27. Prices range from $20-$60,
depending on the number of classes per
session.
Seating is limited for all Summer of
STEAM programs.
To see program topics and schedules,
or to register, visit calu.edu/innovation.
The Cal U Center for Innovation at
Southpointe is a hub for lifelong
learning, a link between California
University of Pennsylvania's resources
and the wider community, and a home
for creative thinking and innovative
ideas. Details: calu.edu/innovation or
contact Christopher Allen at
allen@calu.edu or 724-938-2765.

For
Your
Health
Treatment & Prevention of
Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is caused by the
bacterium Borellia Burgdorferi
and is transmitted to humans by
the bite of infected blacklegged
ticks. Symptoms include fever,
headache, fatigue, and a
characteristic skin rash called
erythema migrans.
Prevention
Wear high socks, long pants and
long sleeve lightweight shirts. Best
if colored or very light to spot
ticks easier.
Check legs and feet frequently.
Know how to spot and identify
ticks. Nymphal ticks are as small
as a poppyseed. Use bright light
and a magnifying glass. Check each
other in hard to see areas.
Use a scheduled tick killing shampoo on pets. Brush pet daily outside
the house.
Inspection
Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably
within two hours) to wash off and
more easily find ticks.
Conduct a full body tick check
using a mirror to view all parts of
your body upon return from tick
infested areas.
Parents should check children for
ticks under the arms, behind the
knees, between the legs, around the
waist, and especially in their hair.
Examine gear and pets. Ticks can
ride into the home on clothing and
pets so carefully examine pets,
coats and day packs.
Tumble clothes in a dryer on high
heat for an hour to kill ticks.
Tick Removal
Remove with tweezer and a magnifying glass. Wear gloves and place
tweezers on head of tick as near
skin as possible.
Pull slowly, steadily and upward.
Don’t twist, squeeze, jerk or crush
the tick.
Save tick in jar or vial.
Wash site of removal with soap
and water.
Don’t use matches, petroleum
jelly, gasoline, kerosene or nail
polish remover.

Insect Repellants - DEET
DEET can be used directly on to
the skin. Use repellants that contain 20 to 30% DEET on exposed
skin and clothing for protection that
lasts up to several hours.
Always follow instructions.
Parents should apply this product
to their children, avoiding eyes,
hands and mouth.
Insect Repellants - Permethrin
Use products that contain permethrin on clothing.
Treat clothing and gear, such as
boots, pants, socks and tents with
products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through
several washings.
Permethrin is available OTC as a
solution for application to clothing.
Available as Sawyer Clothing
Insect Repellant.
Once applied to clothing, it
remains effective up to 6 weeks,
even after several launderings.
Good for clothes that are exposed
to tick infested areas.
For more information
about treatment & prevention
of Lyme Disease...

...Ask your pharmacist!

REDSTONE PHARMACY

322 Third Street, California

724-938-2395

HOURS OF OPERATION
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

17

TH E PALACE
THEATRE

art, culture & history
Centrally located in Historic
Downtown Brownsville

34 West Otterman Street
Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Heritage Center Museum
Telling the story
of Americana
through the
perspective of
Brownsville
during the
Westward
Expansion & the
Industrial Era

The Temptations
June 21 at 7 p.m.
Robby Krieger
of The Doors
June 27 at 9 p.m.
Graham Nash
August 4 at 8 p.m.
Yakov Smirnoff
August 5 at 2 & 6 p.m.
Happy Together Tour
August 8 at 8 p.m.
Brian Regan
August 29 at 7 p.m.
John Hiatt & The Combo
with Taj Mahal Trio
August 30 at 7:30 p.m.

www.thepalacetheatre.org
18

Preserving the
artworks of
Frank L. Melega
for all to enjoy
Exhibiting new &
established artists
throughout the
year to promote
unique talents

Touchstone Center for Crafts appoints New Director
Pennsylvania and beginning her career,
Soom suspected her efforts might be
better suited in another area. It was a
chance meeting with a former professor
at a shopping mall and his advice to
not “punish yourself for the rest of
your career for a decision that you
made when you were 18” that inspired
her to follow her instinct and pursue an
MBA at Waynesburg University.
She earned her MBA while working
full time at her current career in medical technologies.
As executive director at American
Red Cross, River Valley Chapter, Soom
oversaw service delivery for 18 counties as well as fundraising and ensuring
all areas had sufficient resources.
It was during this period when she
was put to the test. Hurricane Sandy
had wreaked havoc on much of the east
coast and its ripple effect was felt as far
inland as Preston County, West
Virginia. Substantial snowfall in this
area resulted and many residents were
left without heat and electricity for
extended periods. To make matters
worse, a lot of resources were justifiably being directed to those areas most
affected, New Jersey and New York.
Pumping gas was not a possibility
without power; further complicating an
already difficult situation. It would be
three days until Red Cross divisional
help arrived. Until then the River
Valley Chapter
was on its own
in contending
with a major crisis. Lives were
literally on
the line.
Creative thinking was required
to feed and shelter an entire
county with limited resources.
Under Soom's
guidance, quick
decisions were
made. The
American Red
Touchstone Center for Crafts is Pennsylvania’s only residential craft
Cross,
River
school and has been in operation since 1972.

Shauna Soom lends her extensive
business experience to Touchstone
Center for Crafts as its new
executive director.
Shauna Soom began her tenure as
executive director at Touchstone Center
for Crafts in 2015, bringing with her
vast experience in business and nonprofit entities in particular.
Touchstone Center for Crafts,
Pennsylvania's only residential craft
school, is tucked neatly among the
beautiful Laurel Mountains in
Farmington. In operation since 1972,
Touchstone originally sought to preserve traditional mountain crafting
techniques. Since that time it has
evolved into a full service residential
art school with courses ranging from
blacksmithing to painting, drawing and
printmaking. One look at Touchstone's
impressive gallery and it is apparent
that this organization is something
quite special.
Unless you have her resume in hand
one would never know how accomplished a person Soom is. She is modest to a fault and exudes professionalism and small town charm in equal
measure. Some prying reveals an
impressive list of personal and professional achievements.
Shortly after earning a Bachelor of
Science in Medical Technology from
the California University of

Shauna Soom, Executive Director of
Touchstone Center for Crafts

Valley Chapter set up a staging area at
a local high school where the high
school cafeteria staff was hired to
prepare meals for the citizens of
Preston County.
Over the next 10-12 days 3,000 meals
were prepared three times a day. Soom
discusses this as if it were another day
at the office mentioning that it was
“logistically challenging.” But the fact
is that Hurricane Sandy was the largest
Atlantic hurricane on record and the
second costliest in U.S. history, which
delivered a major emergency to one of
her regions of responsibility.
Is Shauna Soom a cool customer?
Definitely.
In her free time she enjoys challenging herself physically, competing in onroad and off-road races. She recently
completed the Mud OnThe Mountain at
Seven Springs, which consisted of 8
miles and 31 obstacles. She also recently competed in the Cherry Blossom 10
miler in Washington, D.C. It comes as
no surprise that a person who has
shown such hard work and dedication
over the years professionally has a
hobby for which hard work and dedication are prerequisites.
While working at Seton Hill
University, Soom held many positions
ranging from program manager of the

Cleansing a home of spirits & negativity
You’ve heard of spring
cleaning, Let’s talk about
paranormal cleansing,
when you effectively
banish spirits from
your home.
There are multiple
ways to perform a
cleansing on your house,
whether your aim is to
XPLORING
rid your domicile of spirits, entities or just negaARANORMAL
tivity. It is widely
believed the effectiveness
of a cleansing is all based
on the power of belief. If
EANNA OBERTS
you believe it will work,
it will. Generally, in the
Photo by Amy Capiross, Amy Cap Photography
paranormal world, when
the windows and doors open, and
cleansing is mentioned, smudging
the most common herb used is
is what first comes to mind. This
white sage. When bundled with
is also what is normally used to
other herbs, it not only removes
rid the residence of negative enerthe negative energy, but promotes
gy. When dealing with spirits,
positive energy to take its place
there are a few other ways you
place. Lavender is also great to
can rid the location of them.
From the very basic “speaking in use for this, as well as sweetgrass
and cedar.
a very direct voice” to cleansings
A newer technique for cleanings
and priests, there are numerous
ways to get rid of spirits. The first is the energy burst protocol. This
is a variation on taking charge of
step is to reclaim your space as
your residence but involves a
your own. Use a direct approach
and show no fear. Simply say that larger group of people. One perit's your place and the entity is not son, generally the one more expewelcome there. Sometimes just let- rienced at the energy burst prototing the being know how unwelcol (EBP) leads and the rest
come they really are will help. If
respond according to a script. The
this doesn't work, there are a few
EBP channels the energy from a
other ways that you can get rid
large group of people to banish
of them.
the spirits from the house.
One of the oldest techniques
Another method is to have your
known is smudging, a Native
residence blessed by a priest, who
American ritual that has been
will anoint your home with oil or
used for centuries. A lot of people
Holy water.
think this is based on the occult,
There are various ways to get rid
but it isn't. Smudging involves the
of entities and negative energy in
burning of various kinds of herbs
a residence but what it ultimately
to promote positivity within the
comes down to is: if you believe a
house. When this is done in conjunction with reciting the entity or particular technique will work,
it will.
entities aren't welcome, it may
Have a question about the
push them out of the house.
paranormal?
Email
Smudging should be done with
reannaroberts@mvprs.org.

E
the P
with
R
R

20

New Touchstone Director continued...
ATHENA Power Link, a businessmentoring program that helps womenowned businesses, to adjunct faculty
member where she instructed undergraduate business and finance courses.
“I miss working with students the
most,” Soom said of this experience.
She also mentions the satisfaction of
watching an entrepreneur go from “an
idea in their head to the ribbon cutting” of their new business and how
proud she was for them on each of
these occasions.
It is this same level of enthusiasm
and commitment that Soom brings to
Touchstone Center for Crafts.
Motivated initially as a dedicated
wife and mother who wanted to work
closer to home after many years of
commuting, Soom came across an article in the Sunday paper regarding
Touchstone and its search for a new
executive director. With a lot of experience in the areas of grant writing and
fundraising from her former positions
combined with her impressive business
background and love of the arts, Soom
was a natural fit.
Upon arriving at Touchstone she hit
the ground running, fine tuning some
staffing issues and hiring more part
time staff to “smooth the work load a
little bit” during the summer season.
When asked if she faced any unexpected challenges at Touchstone, Soom
mentioned the amount of work and
level of detail that goes into each pro-

gram was indeed a surprise. Details
such as the correct amount of ounces
of clay for a course are very important
as was “learning the language of
the artist.”
She is quick to compliment the wonderful people with whom she now
works and applauds their level of commitment in making Touchstone what it
is today. Her love students is obvious
as she beams when discussing
Touchstone's full scholarships for summer programs that are awarded annually to two Allegheny County high
school students during Touchstone's
Teen Week.
Reminiscing about former colleague
and mentor, Jayne Huston, Soom's
level of respect and admiration for
those who have helped her along her
path in both career and life comes to
the surface. She fondly mentions how
Huston, the director of Seton Hill
University's E-Magnify business center, listened to and challenged her and
offered her opportunities.
One can't help but wonder if Shauna
Soom realizes that she too, has
undoubtedly listened to, challenged
and offered opportunities to many in
the past, much as her mentor did, and
Sooms continues to do so now at
Touchstone Center for Crafts.
Information about Touchstone Center
for Crafts can be found at
touchstonecrafts.org

Potters at the wheel during one of Touchstone’s many hands on workshops.
For a full schedule, visit www.touchstonecrafts.org

Mon Valley Hospital’s 27th Annual Gala: A Night at the Museum
Monongahela Valley Hospital's 27th
Annual Gala guests enjoyed a theme
inspired by Ben Stiller's “A Night at
the Museum,” as they mingled with
gargantuan dinosaur replicas, interacted
with costumed actors, and perused
world-famous artwork and an
Egyptian-themed exhibit.
The event at the Westin Convention
Center and Hotel in Pittsburgh on May
16 also honored the Hospital's
Dimensions in Performance awardees.
During the program, the Hospital
received a national designation.
More than 600 attendees dressed to
the nines filled the sprawling, elegant
Allegheny Ballroom to raise a recordbreaking $147,600, according to Sara
Schumacher, vice president of Fund
Development for MVH. The money
will be used to fund MVH's new Breast
Care Center.
Top sponsors for the evening included
The Curators: Amedisys Home Health
and Hospice, Doctors First, Inc. and
Unidine; The T-Rex: Limbach
Company LLC; and The Cleopatras:
Allegheny Health Network, Orthopedic
& Sports Physical Therapy Associates,
Inc. (OSPTA), Range Resources and
UPMC Health Plan. The Hospital
gratefully acknowledged the
extensive list of sponsors in the

evening's program.
The event, which was sponsored by
the Mon-Vale Health Resources Fund
Development Committee and MVH's
Office of Fund Development, celebrated four exemplary individuals for their
commitment to excellence with
Dimensions in Performance Awards.
These awards honor the multi-dimensional talents of special friends, benefactors and members of the health care
family who have distinguished themselves in the areas of philanthropy,
medicine, volunteerism and civic
well-being.
Tom Simon, owner of Howard Hanna
Simon Real Estate Services, received
the Rose Award for Dimensions in
Philanthropy. Mr. Simon helped establish the Free Care Fund at MVH to
provide medical care to children
regardless of insurance or their families' ability to pay. He has raised more
than $131,000 for the Hospital's Free
Care Fund. This award recognizes
members of the community for their
benevolence and dedication to the
enhancement of quality health care.
Paul N. Cervone, M.D., a well-known
obstetrician/gynecologist at MVH's
Valley Women's Health, received the
Sickman-Levin Award for Dimensions
in Medicine. Dr. Cervone is also a
Colonel with the 28th Infantry Division

of the Pennsylvania National Guard,
where he served in Kosovo, Iraq and
Afghanistan. He holds many leadership
roles at MVH including co-chairman of
the Hospital's Emergency and Disaster
Planning Committee, where he helps
define and direct the emergency preparedness for the hospital. This award
honors outstanding physicians who
contribute to health care in the midMonongahela Valley.
Lois C. Powala, a retired vice president from National City Bank, received
the Gibbons Award for Dimensions in
Community Service. Mrs. Powala
traded an office for volunteer opportunities with MVH, providing community
outreach with senior hospital leaders
and physicians. This award honors
those who are dedicated to the health,
social and civic needs of area residents
and help to improve the quality of life.
Sarah L. Wells, an active member of
the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Resources,
Inc. for 47 years, received the
Rossomme Award for Dimensions in
Volunteer Service. She is the longestserving active member of the Auxiliary.
She serves as the chairwoman of the
Gift and Memorial Fund and works
tirelessly in the Hospital's Gift Shop.
This award recognizes people who give
of their time and talents in volunteer

service to the health system.
During the evening, David Bromall,
Healthgrades vice president of Quality
Solutions, recognized the Hospital for
being named among the top 5 percent
in the nation for the Healthgrades®
Outstanding Patient Experience
Award™. Healthgrades is the leading
online resource that helps consumers
search, evaluate, compare and connect
with physicians and hospitals.
“Last year when MVH received
Healthgrades' Outstanding Patient
Experience Award for the second consecutive year, it was an honor,” said
President and CEO Louis J. Panza,
after receiving the award.
“However, receiving this award three
years in a row, which places us among
the top 5 percent of hospitals in the
country, is truly an accomplishment. I
accept this award on behalf of all of
our employees, physicians, board and
volunteers who contribute to the patient
experience every patient, every day,
every way.”
Gala 27 began with cocktails and
hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m., followed by
dinner at 7 p.m. “A Night at the
Museum” concluded with photo
booths, a coffee bar and a premiere
variety dance band, Cityscape.
Guests danced until midnight.

21

PWPA awards 2015 Memorial Scholarship
Jennifer Schouppe, pictured right, a
junior communication major with a
focus in journalism and electronic
media from Beaver, Pa., was recently
named the winner of the 2015 Teresa
Spatara Memorial Scholarship.
The Pennsylvania Women’s Press
Association (PWPA) offers the Teresa
Spatara Memorial Scholarship to current junior, senior and graduate students pursuing a career in print journalism. The scholarship is named in honor
of Teresa Spatara, a career journalist
with The Herald in Sharon, Pa., who
passed away in 2013.
“I’m very honored to receive this
scholarship,” said Schouppe.
“I’m thankful for my professors who
bring their real-world experiences from
the field into the classroom. Their
teachings and advice definitely had a
part in helping me to achieve this
accomplishment.”
Schouppe, Waynesburg University’s
first recipient of the scholarship, met
all of the scholarship requirements
including proven journalistic ability,
dedication to a newspaper career and
general merit.
Schouppe recently received the position as the chief photographer for
Waynesburg University’s award-winning student news publication, the
Yellow Jacket. She is the programming
director for Waynesburg University’s
Society of Professional Journalists
student chapter and an intern at
McMillen Photography.
“Winning the PWPA scholarship is a
wonderful recognition of Jenny’s hard
work both in her journalism classes and
with the student newspaper,” said
Brandon Szuminsky, instructor of communication and co-advisor for the
Yellow Jacket. “As she heads into her

Ri g h t l y
No t e d

senior year, we feel strongly that Jenny
is going to be an integral part of the
Yellow Jacket next year, and it’s good
to see the PWPA shares our high opinion of her.”
Schouppe’s scholarship will wrap up
an award-filled semester for
Waynesburg University’s distinguished
journalism program.
“Jenny’s scholarship is a wonderful
capper to a great semester for the journalism program at Waynesburg
University that saw the newspaper staff
win six state and regional awards,” said
Szuminsky. “It’s a great confirmation
that a student can have both the myriad
of benefits of a small-school education
and still have great opportunities to
grow as young journalists.”
Schouppe was awarded $1,500.
She will attend the PWPA luncheon
on May 30 in Gettysburg to give a brief
acceptance speech.
Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg
University is located on a traditional
campus in the hills of southwestern
Pennsylvania, with three additional
sites located in the Pittsburgh region.

Lee Stivers
& Peter Wright

NOW BOOKING
PUBLIC &
PRIVATE EVENTS

22

BLUEGRASS,
COUNTRY
& BLUES
MUSIC

-For more infopwright@yahoo.com
724-554-8815

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - pabridges.com

2015 “Cameos of Caring” awarded to Mon Valley Hospital nurses
diffuse situations in
a quick and concise
manner. As a coworker, when you
are having a good
day, she will always
encourage you,” he
said. “Likewise, if
you are having a
problem, she is
always there to provide support and
assistance. Not only
is she a preceptor
and an educator to
all of us, she does it
all with a smile.
When we work with In celebration of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, MVH hosted a breakfast to honor its nurses. During the event, Mary Lou Murt (right), senior
Crystal, we know
that it will be a great vice president of Nursing, presented the 2015 Cameos of Caring® Award
to Crystal Harvey, a registered nurse on the Behavioral Health Unit.
day because she
Keisha Jones, RN, Mon-Vale
makes us laugh and
Oncology
be happy.”
Wendy Kraemer, RN, 7-East
She thanked her co-workers and said
that she was 20 when she started workStephanie Obusek, RN, Coronary
ing at MVH.
Care Unit
“I've had a lot of rewarding experiJamie Simon, RN, 5-West Angela
ences over the last 25 years and they're Smida, RN, 6-West
all near and dear to my heart,” said the
Kristen Walters, RN, 5-East
West Newton resident, wife and mother Orthopedic Institute
of three.
Jeanette Weeks, RN, 7-West
Ms. Harvey will be recognized with
Margaret Wheeler, RN, 4-Progressive
the Cameos of Caring awardees from
Care Unit
the other hospitals in the region during
Laura Young, RN, Intensive Care
a dinner in the fall.
“I want to congratulate all of the
Walter Cox, M.D., president of the
nurses who are being recognized by
MVH Medical Staff, told the nurses
their peers,” said Senior Vice President
gathered that they deserve recognition
of Nursing Mary Lou Murt.
every day, not just once a year at the
At the Nurse Appreciation Breakfast,
annual Nurse Appreciation
those gathered also thanked the family
Day breakfast.
of the late Norman and Florence
Fourteen other
Golumb, who established an endowMVH nurses were
ment for nursing education.
nominated for the
On display was a hand crafted MVH
Cameos of
quilt.
Each nursing department created
Caring Award.
a
square,
which was then assembled
Sheila Amati, RN,
and
quilted
together by Critical Care
Emergency
Unit
Clerk
Jackie
Ingram. The quilt
Department
will
be
put
on
display
in the hospital
Dyann Bury, RN,
lobby.
SameDay Surgery
President and CEO Louis J. Panza
Yvonne Daniels,
said
that the quilt is the perfect
RN, Post-Anesthesia
metaphor
for how well the nurses in all
Care Unit (PACU)
the
departments
work together and how
Holly Giordano,
much creativity, resourcefulness, team
6-E
effort and attention to detail they have
Julie Henry, RN,
Monongahela Valley Hospital President and CEO Louis J. Panza Jr.
to give our patients such excellent care.
Operating Room
examines the Intensive Care Unit quilt square that incorporated colorful
“You are absolutely amazing
medicine bottle caps. The quilt will be on display in the hospital lobby.
together,” he said.

Each year, Monongahela Valley
Hospital honors its nurses in early May
to coincide with both National Nurses
Week, May 6-12, and the birthday of
Florence Nightingale - the founder of
modern nursing.
MVH hosted a Nurse Appreciation
Day Breakfast on May 7 to celebrate
and thank its nurses. During the event,
Mary Lou Murt, senior vice president
of Nursing, presented the 2015 Cameos
of Caring® Award to Crystal Harvey, a
registered nurse on the Behavioral
Health Unit.
The prestigious Cameos of Caring
Awards are presented annually by the
University of Pittsburgh's School of
Nursing to honor exceptional bedside
nurses who work in acute care hospitals. Nurses throughout Western
Pennsylvania nominate their co-workers who demonstrate excellence in
nursing care, serve as advocates for
patients and families and embody the
essence of the nursing profession.
In nominating his colleague, Crystal
Harvey, for the award, John Hartman,
RN, wrote:
“Crystal is a model nurse who has a
keen eye and a strong sense of responsibility. As a patient advocate, she will
encourage a family meeting during
treatment and is excellent at providing
support and education to our families,”
he said.
Mr. Hartman added that Crystal
receives many phone calls from former
patients and their families to thank her
for her patience and understanding.
“She is cool and collected in the face
of any crisis situations and is able to

Supporting a child through
grief & bereavement
Even very young children feel the pain
of bereavement, but they learn how to
express his or her grief by watching the
adults around them. After a loss-particularly of a sibling or parent-children need
support, stability, and honesty. They
may also need extra reassurance that
they will be cared for and kept safe.
As an adult, you can support children
through the grieving process by demonstrating that it's okay to be sad and helping them make sense of the loss.
Answer any questions the child may
have as truthfully as you can. Use very
simple, honest, and concrete terms when
explaining death to a child. Childrenespecially young children-may blame
themselves for what happened and the
truth helps them see they are not
at fault.
Open communication will smooth
the way for a child to express distressing feelings.
How to help a grieving child:
Allow your child, however young, to
attend the funeral if he or she wants to.
Convey your spiritual values about life
and death, or pray with your child.
Meet regularly as a family to find out
how everyone is coping.
Help children find ways to symbolize
and memorialize the deceased person.
Keep your child's daily routine as
normal as possible.
Pay attention to the way a child plays;
this can be one of a child's primary
ways of communicating.
What not to do:
Don't force a child to publicly mourn
if he or she doesn't want to.
Don't give false or confusing messages, like “Grandma is sleeping now.”
Don't tell a child to stop crying
because others might get upset.
Don't try to shield a child from the
loss. Children pick up on much more
than adults realize. Don't stifle your
tears; by crying in front of your child,
you send the message that it's okay for
him or her to express feelings, too.
Don't turn your child into your
personal confidante. Rely on another
adult or a support group instead.

Area Museums offer Free Admission for Active Military Families
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration
among the National Endowment for the
Arts, Blue Star Families, the
Department of Defense, and more than
2,000 museums across America to offer
free admission to the nation's active
duty military personnel including
National Guard and Reserve and their
families from Memorial Day, May 25,
through Labor Day, September 7, 2015.
More than 2,000 (and counting)
museums in all 50 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and
American Samoa are participating in
Blue Star Museums.
These include children's museums,
fine art museums, history and science
museums, and nature centers.
The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva
Convention common access card
(CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card
(dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1
ID card, which includes active duty
U.S. military - Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and
Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service
Commissioned Corps, NOAA
Commissioned Corps - and up to five
family members.
The military ID holder plus up to five
family members. The military ID holder can either be active duty service
member or other dependent family
member with the appropriate ID card.
The active duty member does not have
to be present for family members to use
the program.
A family member of active duty military may include a spouse or child,
aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.
Spouses of deployed military are eligible for Blue Star Museums. Just
bring your DD Form 1173 ID Card, or
DD Form 1173-1 ID Card, for active

duty military family members.
The military ID holder plus up
to five family members are eligible for free admission.
Children under the age of 10
without military ID are welcome
to attend with their parents who
either hold a Geneva Convention
Common Access Card (CAC), a
DD Form 1173 ID Card, or a
DD Form 1173-1 ID Card.
Blue Star Museums is an effort
to improve the quality of life for
active duty military families,
especially focusing on the
approximately 1 million children
who have had at least one parent
deployed. Blue Star Museums
was created to show support for
military families who have faced
multiple deployments and the
challenges of reintegration. This
program offers these families a
chance to visit museums this
summer when many will have
limited resources and limited
time to be together.
Some special or limited-time
museum exhibits may not be
included in this free admission
program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please
contact the museum directly.
There is no limit on the number of
participating museums that eligible parties can visit.
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration
among the National Endowment for the
Arts, Blue Star Families, the
Department of Defense, and more than
2,000 museums across America. Blue
Star Families is a national, nonprofit
network of military families from all
ranks and services, including guard and
reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military fami-

lies. The effort to recruit museums has
involved partnerships with the
American Alliance of Museums, the
Association of Art Museum Directors,
the Association of Children's Museums,
the American Association of State and
Local History, and the Association of
Science-Technology Centers.
PARTICIPATING LOCAL MUSEUMS
Greensburg
Historic Hanna's Town
Westmoreland Museum of
American Art
Jeannette
Bushy Run Battlefield
Heritage Society
Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museum of Art
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Frick Art & Historical Center
Mattress Factory Museum of
Contemporary Art
Senator John Heinz History Center
Society for Contemporary Craft
The Andy Warhol Museum
Washington
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

The Mon Valley Performing
Arts Academy Summer
Experience 2015 offers
musical theater instruction
for students ages 8-17.
After intensive acting, voice
and dance classes, as well as
rehearsals, students will
present the musical
“Seussical Jr.” complete with
stage sets, costumes and
props.
Curtain time is 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 1.
The fully staged production
of “Seussical Jr.” is open to
the public.
Ticket price is $8 for adults,
$4 for children.
Tickets may be purchased at
the door. To order tickets in
advance, leave a message at
724-938-4220.

Tickets: 724-9
938-4
4220
25

They’re Back! 90s bands take Pittsburgh by storm this summer
Entertainment.
“Kids that were
growing up
The 90s are back with a vengeance
back then now
this summer in Pittsburgh as quite a
as adults are
number of popular 90s era bands are
enjoying the
touring the area, many of which
haven't graced the stage for quite a few same music
they grew
years or produced an album since
up on.”
their heyday.
New Kids on
Kicking things off in just a few weeks
the
Block are
is the nostalgic 90s Summerland tour
proof
positive
with Everclear, Fuel, the Toadies and
of
this;
the band
American Hi-Fi. Everclear launched
has
been
tourthis annual tour in 2012 which features
ing
annually
to
and featuring other prominent acts from
sold
out
audithe 90s. While some of the bands, like
ences despite
Everclear and Fuel, continue to prothe fact they've
duce new music frequently, American
produced only
Hi-Fi just released their first album
two albums in
after a four year gap in 2014 and the
the last 20
Toadies haven't released an album in
Barenaked Ladies to take stage at Stage AE on June 23
years. Their sucnearly three years. However, most fans
cess may be due
Ladies won a Juno Award in in 2009
will likely attend this show hoping to
to their strategic decision to tour with
for “Best Children's Album” for their
hear the classic tunes these artists first
other popular acts from the 90s such as
album Snacktime?
made famous when they exploded on to TLC and Nelly.
the music scene in the last decade of
In July, three well loved 90s sensa“They are listening to the music,”
the twentieth century.
tions
will hit the Pittsburgh scene:
said Drusky. “So acts will tour to capi“It's like the same thing that happened talize on the resurgence. I think they're Three Days Grace, Jane's Addiction
a few years back with the 80s resurand Blues Traveler.
coming to hear the old tunes.”
gence,” said Brian Drusky of Drusky
Also in June,
Similar in nature to the Summerland
Barenaked Ladies with
Tour, the Under the Tour will take
Violent Femmes and
place at Stage AE in August, featuring
Colin Hay, will appear
artists such as Sugar Ray, Better than
at Stage AE. This
Ezra, Uncle Kracker and Eve 6. Sugar
Canadian rock band
Ray's future is unclear, though it's
achieved great fame in
unlikely the band will produce a new
the United States with
their still popular song,
album. Still, combining forces with 90s
“One Week,” though
legends like Uncle Kracker ensures
many people would be
audiences will be treated to a night
hard pressed to name
of memories.
another of their hits.
Looking to relive the glory days of
Still the group continues
the
90s? Here's a few of the shows
to put out new music
coming
to the area over the next few
and has a large
months. New shows are being added
Canadian.
Fun fact: Did you
daily, so be sure to check the web sites
Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, who’ll be at Stage AE July 10 know that Barenaked
of area venues for updates.
Story by Hayley Martin

1 3 T H A N N UA L A R T

IN

Blues Traveler rolls into Stage AE July 31

---UPCOMING *RETRO* SHOWS---

June 19 - Summerland Tour with
Everclear, Fuel, the Toadies, and
American Hi-Fi at Stage AE
June 14 - New Kids on the Block at
Consol Energy Center
June 16 - The Smashing Pumpkins:
In Plainsong at Carnegie Library
of Homestead
June 22 - Third Eye Blind and
Dashboard Confessional at Stage AE
June 22- Melissa Etheridge at
Carnegie Library of Homestead
June 22- POD at Altar Bar
June 23 - Barenaked Ladies with
Violent Femmes and Colin Hay at
Stage AE
June 26 - Brownie Mary & Buzz
Poets at Station Square
July 9 - Three Days Grace at
Stage AE
July 9 - Powerman 5000 and Soil at
Altar Bar
July 10 - Jane's Addiction at
Stage AE
July 31 - Blues Traveler at Stage AE
August 5 - Kottonmouth Kings:
Family Reunion Tour Round 2 at
Altar Bar
August 11 - Down at Altar Bar
August 9 - Under the Sun Tour
Featuring Sugar Ray, Better than Ezra,
Uncle Kracker and Eve 6 at Stage AE

AC T I O N

A one day interactive art show featuring demonstrating
artists, art activities for the whole family, entertainment,
food & surprises. Held at the historic Stone Pavilion.
Held in memory of the late Judy Hopson,
beloved soul mate of Bill Faust, event organizer

End of an Undead Era: “Dawn of the Dead” at Monroeville Mall
Story by Chuck Brutz

faces as they blissfully marched
from store to
It was the era of bell bottoms and the
store.” A vacant
Bee Gees, when a Hare Krishna zomlook you might
bie roamed the Monroeville Mall.
associate with…
Plenty of zombies headed to the mall
zombies.
in director George Romero's classic
Visited by the
1978 film, Dawn of the Dead, establishing the mall as an iconic location in muse, Romero
began to work on
film history.
Over the years since the film was first a treatment for
Dawn of the Dead,
released, the mall has undergone many
the focus of which
changes, and many of the most recogwould be four surnizable locations featured in the film
vivors of a zombie
have slowly disappeared.
apocalypse hiding
A month ago, an announcement was
made that as part of a multimillion dol- out in the mall.
Remember a time when zombies first roamed... the Monroeville Mall?
According to the
lar expansion, the last remaining piece
DVD commentary
of the film's set - a wooden footbridge
keep up with the times.
for the film, it was meant to be a satire
that crosses a fish pond - would be
The Ice Palace closed forever on
on consumerism, with the main characremoved from the mall.
March 4, 1984.
ters “in a mall, with all the goods they
To help us better understand what
“Food courts are trends,” Polm stated.
wanted at the fingertips.”
made the Monroeville Mall such a pop
“Every major shopping center in the
Due to his relationship with Mason,
culture icon, let's take a look back at
Pittsburgh area has one. It makes us
Romero easily gained permission to
the history of both the mall and the
'much more' for people who choose
film scenes in the mall. In November
film that made it famous.
1977, he and his crew were granted full Monroeville Mall for their
Monroeville Mall first opened its
Christmas shopping.”
use of the mall after it closed at night.
doors on May 13, 1969.
At that time, the mall also offered
Developer Mark Mason, who worked Shooting took place from 11 p.m. to 7
a.m.
when
the
mall
opened
its
doors
to
several
full service restaurants, all of
for Oxford Development Company
greet
customers.
which
have
since closed.
which built the mall, and director
The
Monroeville
Mall's
since
closed
A
32
foot
tall
clock, located in front
George Romero attended Carnegie
- 195 feet long, 90 feet wide Ice Palace the two story Gimbels' department
Mellon together. Shortly after the mall
was featured prominently in the film.
store, featured puppet shows on the
opened, Romero invited Mason to tour
The Ice Palace featured an ice skating
hour, with puppets of many different
the facility. Joking with his friend,
rink,dressing rooms, a skate rental
nationalities. This clock made several
Mason remarked that people could hide
shop, a refreshment stand called “Pup
out and even live in parts of the mall in
appearances in Dawn of the Dead. In
A Go Go” that offered a selection of
the event to of a national emergency.
1986, Gimbels closed all its locations,
hot dogs. The Pittsburgh Penguins
After the tour, Romero was casually
and the clock was removed from the
organization held a hockey school for
strolling through the mall when he said youth at the rink. Pittsburgh Steelers,
Monroeville Mall in the early 1990s.
he noticed a “vacant look on shopper's
J.C. Penney, which once occupied the
including Terry
upper
level of site where Gimbels
Bradshaw, used to
stood, was also featured in the film. At
skate there.
By the 1980s, most
the time, J.C. Penney was located in
malls were adding food
the center of the mall.
courts and when the
Because of the efforts of people dediMonroeville Mall
cated to saving the bridge, although the
opened theirs on
bridge will still be removed from the
November 9, 1984, there mall, it still has a bright future. The
was much protest when
bridge is to be relocated to either the
the Ice Palace was choHeinz History Center in Pittsburgh or
sen as the site.
Addressing the contro- in The Living Dead Museum in Evans
City, Pa. The Living Dead Museum is
versy, mall marketing
curated by Kevin Kreiss and home to
director Nina Polm told
many attractions including the “Maul
Matthew Brells of the
Pittsburgh Press the mall of Fame” autographed via bloody handHungry zombies search for brains during Zombiefest at the
eliminated the ice rink to print by many of the stars of Dawn of
Monroeville Mall
the Dead and Night of the Living Dead.

The Heart
Absent
14-year-old James Nemo spent
most of his youth motherless and
under the thumb of a father who
hates him. These injustices he quickly forgets, however, in the arms of a
beautiful young prostitute named
Nelly. Reality conspires against the
young lovers, and James is left, alone
and angry, to confront the truth
behind his mother's abandonment.
Twenty years pass. James, now a
respected artist, meets Mary Jane
Kelly, an Irish prostitute who bears
more than a passing resemblance to
Nelly. Convinced his redemption lies
in her, James slowly ensnares her
into his ever darkening world. His
passion for her escalates to a frenzy,
amidst the backdrop of Victorian
London in the heyday of Jack the
Ripper, and threatens to consume
them both.
Novel by Carla E. Anderton, a
recognized expert on the subject of
Jack the Ripper. Available for
purchase online at Amazon.com and
Barnes & Noble bookstores among
other fine retailers.

Curious about Jack?
theheartabsent.com

This summer, revisit the
scene of a century
plus year old crime...
27

Available Now!

Della and Lila
Meet the
Monongahela
Mermaid is the
first in a series
of books for
children that
explores the
themes of
nature, conservation, family,
community service, and helping
others.
Throughout the text children are
introduced to research patterns in
the forms of charts, maps, and
footnotes. Beginning concepts of
biology, geography, and environmental science are also presented.
A beloved local landscape provides the backdrop for this story
about two sisters, Della and Lila,
who befriend a mermaid in trouble.
As the increasing mistreatment of
the Monongahela River persists,
Marina the Mermaid turns to two

little girls, Della and Lila, to help
her save her home. Della and Lila
rally their family and friends and
form a summer long campaign to
raise awareness about pollution
and ecological damages in the
Monongahela River.
The girls and their friends
work very hard to try and save
Marina's home. But, will they be
able to do it?
Find out what happens when
Della and Lila work together with
their family, friends & community
to help save our river.

shop.dellaandlila.com

Get your copy today!

Visit the official Della & Lila shop online.
Featuring the first book in the series as well as a
variety of plush mermaid & animal friend dolls.